Padstow RNLI Joins Nationwide Scroll Relay for RNLI’s 200th Anniversary

Photo Credit:RNLI/Abi Gough – Padstow RNLI volunteers with the RNLI 200th anniversary scroll

In an emblematic event on Monday, 1 April 2024, Padstow Harbour was the scene of a poignant ceremony as part of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) bicentenary celebrations.

Representatives from the Padstow RNLI lifeboat station and its fundraising guild gathered to engage in the ‘Connecting our Communities’ relay, a commemorative venture underscoring the institution’s 200-year legacy of lifesaving service across the UK and Ireland.

Unity in Commitment

Central to the ceremony was a scroll bearing the RNLI pledge, a testament to the unwavering spirit and dedication of the charity’s volunteers and supporters. The scroll’s passage through various RNLI communities, encompassing lifeboat stations, lifeguard units, and fundraising branches, symbolises a collective resolve to save lives and foster a spirit of unity and mutual support.

The pledge encapsulates the ethos of the RNLI: “Whoever we are, wherever we are from, we are one crew, ready to save lives. We’re powered by passion, talent, and kindness, like generations of selfless lifesavers before us.” Signed by representatives at each location on its route, the scroll carries the signatures of Robert Norfolk, head launcher and retired volunteer of the Padstow lifeboat crew, and Kathryn Nicholas, Treasurer of the Fundraising Guild, marking Padstow’s integral role in this momentous relay.

A Journey of Reflection and Inspiration

The relay, which commenced on 4 March 2024 with a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, will span seven months, touching 240 RNLI locations before concluding in Douglas, Isle of Man, the birthplace of RNLI founder Sir William Hillary. This journey not only honours the past but also looks forward, aiming to inspire future generations to continue the noble legacy of the RNLI.

Richard Pitman, Coxswain at Padstow RNLI, expressed the station’s pride in being part of such a historic occasion, highlighting the scroll as a significant symbol of the lifesaving community’s unity and purpose. The event also featured community engagement activities, including an Easter fun Treasure Trail and an opportunity to view the Padstow RNLI lifeboat ‘Spirit of Padstow’, further cementing the bond between the RNLI and the communities it serves.

Crafting a Legacy

The scroll itself, bespoke and bearing significance in every detail, from its materials to its protective casing, signifies the craftsmanship and tradition of the RNLI. Its journey is facilitated by an All-Electric E-Transit van, courtesy of Ford, ensuring the scroll’s safe passage through its historic route.

Upon the completion of its journey, the scroll will find a permanent home at the RNLI College in Poole, serving as a lasting emblem of the charity’s 200-year history and a beacon of hope and inspiration for future lifesavers.

Celebrating Two Centuries of Lifesaving

As the RNLI commemorates its bicentenary, the ‘Connecting our Communities’ relay stands as a highlight among various events and activities planned throughout the year. This celebration is not only a reflection on the RNLI’s storied past but also a forward-looking endeavour, aimed at fostering a new generation of volunteers and supporters committed to saving lives at sea.

With over 146,000 lives saved since its inception in 1824, the RNLI’s mission remains as critical as ever. Through the dedication of its volunteers and the generosity of its supporters, the RNLI continues to make a profound impact on maritime safety, embodying the spirit of its pledge and the vision of its founder for centuries to come.

For more information on the RNLI’s 200th anniversary and its various commemorations, visit RNLI.org/200.